Fliers remain confident in American aviation following DC plane crash

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Sixty-seven people are presumed dead after a passenger jet an U.S. Army helicopter collided over the icy river waters of the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. Tragic accidents like this can leave some people with fear and anxiety, but frequent flyers are encouraging people to stay calm. They say despite the tragedy they want others to remain confident and trust their pilots.

At Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, one flight departed to Washington, D.C. Thursday, Jan. 30 and another arriving later in the day.

Two arrivals and one departing flight were canceled. All three of those flights were American Airlines.

Aaron Brenner is a frequent flyer. Brenner says because of his job he takes multiple flights every two weeks. Brenner says while the incident was tragic, he’s not concerned about future flights and wants others to fly without fear, too.

“You know, I think that that particular incident in DC, I know that airport. There’s a lot of military travel and flying. I just think it was one of those tragic accidents where, I don’t know the details, but like there’s no blame. Sometimes accidents happen,” said Brenner.

Brenner says he’s grateful to arrive at his destination safely and is thinking of the families that were impacted by this tragedy.

“I really believe in the American flight system, and I think we’re in really good hands and we should be grateful for how careful people are for our wellbeing,” said Brenner.